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Date: December 10, 2004
Contact: Bill Sodoma

 

Men's hockey team beats rival Bowdoin in overtime

BRUNSWICK, Maine --- Joel Morash scored the game-winner 2:29 into overtime, giving the Colby men's ice hockey team a 5-4 victory over arch-rival Bowdoin on Friday. The goal salvaged a victory for the Mules, who lost a two-goal lead in the final 1:37 as a late Bowdoin rally forced the extra session. Colby improves to 5-1-0 (4-1-0 NESCAC), while the Polar Bears fall to 5-1-1 (3-1-1) with their first loss of the season.

After Bowdoin killed a penalty early in the first period, the Mules got on the board as Barry Brown snapped a wrist shot top-shelf for a 1-0 Colby lead just 3:57 into the contest. The Polar Bears drew even at 11:50 of the opening period when Greg McConnell pounced on a loose puck in front of the crease for a powerplay goal. The teams traded powerplay chances to close the frame, with the Mules coming close to scoring with seconds left in the period when a shot deflected off the post.

James Gadon gave Bowdoin the lead just 23 seconds into the period when the sophomore ripped a shot from just inside the blue line that slipped inside the right post for a shorthanded goal and 2-1 Polar Bear lead. Colby attempted to deadlock the score courtesy of back-to-back Bowdoin penalties that resulted in a 5-on-3 advantage for the Mules. But Polar Bear George Papachristopoulos made several sprawling saves to kill off the advantage and retain the lead for Bowdoin. Two more penalties called against Bowdoin resulted in another two-man edge for the Mules and Colby finally took advantage, as Greg Osbourne found the back of the net at 18:16 to tie the game at two heading into the third period.

Colby wasted little time taking the lead in the third period as Arthur Fritch took the puck coast-to-coast and deked Papachristopoulos just 1:05 into the frame for a 3-2 Mules lead. Midway through the period, Bowdoin had a great chance to tie the score in transition when Colin Hughes drove to the net, losing a Colby defender, but Chris Ries made a spectacular save to preserve the lead for the Mules. Minutes later, Colby improved their lead as Nick Bayley took a feed from Cory Ernst and went top-shelf for 4-2 edge at 10:26. Bowdoin appeared to draw closer with seven minutes left as a strong drive into the zone by Brian Ciborowski produced a shot that got past Ries. But the puck was ruled to have been kicked into the net and the game remained 4-2.

Bowdoin furiously put the pressure on Colby late in the period and drew within one goal with 1:37 remaining when senior captain Shannon McNevan put home a loose puck on the doorstep to make it 4-3. Then, with Papachristopoulos pulled from the goal and under 40 seconds left, Adam Dann lifted a shot over the shoulder of Ries, tying the game with 37 seconds left and sending a sellout Dayton Arena into hysterics. The contest moved to overtime, where after two-and-a-half minutes of scoreless play, the game seemed destined to end in a tie. But a Bowdoin turnover in their defensive zone saw the puck end up on the stick of Joel Morash, who slid the puck past Papachristopoulos at 2:29 of the extra session, giving Colby the win.

Bowdoin's junior goaltender made 35 saves on the night, while Ries stopped 24 shots for the Mules. Bowdoin was charged with 11 penalties, resulting in two Colby powerplay goals. Colby was cited for only five penalties on the evening. The teams will play again on February 8 in Waterville.